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“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race”-2 Timothy 4:7

​Lent is hard. It is easy to fall into the mindset of just complaining about having to fast. But why are we fasting?

The Church didn’t decide that we all need to lose some weight as we head into Spring. We fast to join with Christ in preparation for the triduum. We are all called to fight the good fight, to finish the race. But how do we do that?

As said before, it is easy to fall into the temptation of complaining about Lent, and that temptation comes from the devil’s desire to pull us away from holiness. How should we fight the devil tempting us? Well look around you. These are your brothers and sisters in arms. We are told that where 2 or more are gathered, so too will God be there. When you are struggling, turn to those around you for that support and affirmation. They can lift you back up when you are weak.

There is nothing the devil hates more than to see you pray. And if you are praying for, and with, your brothers and sisters then the devil can hold no power over you.

Now fighting the good fight is only half of what we are addressing here. We can certainly start out strong in a fight, get in a few good punches, but what happens when we start to get tired? Are we just going to drop out and surrender? There are many things in living out the faith that are not easy, that will tire you, and make you want to surrender, but keep in mind the end of the race. When a runner is competing in a race, they don’t just stop halfway through because their muscles are sore. They push through the pain, because they know at the end of that race is something they desire. Whether an Olympian competing for gold, or someone who has been training to complete their first marathon, the end of the race holds a big accomplishment. And there is no greater race to run than that of our journey to heaven. So turn to your friends around you when your muscles burn, think of the glory at the end, fight the good fight, and complete the race.